Dothan AL vs Springfield MO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Dothan, AL
Alabama · Population: 71,118
- Median HH Income$55,052
- Median Home Price$205,339
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
Springfield, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Springfield
169,432
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Springfield
3.8%
Springfield +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Springfield
4.3%
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Springfield
1.7%
Springfield +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Springfield
5.6%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 169,432 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 33.6 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 3.8% | Springfield + |
| White | 56.6% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 35.6% | 4.3% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.7% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 5.6% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Dothan +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Dothan +
Springfield
$30,864
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Springfield
$58,527
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Dothan +
Springfield
19.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Springfield
30.3%
Springfield +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $45,984 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $30,864 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $58,527 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 19.4% | Dothan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 30.3% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Springfield
$245,279
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
Springfield
42.9%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $245,279 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 42.9% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Dothan +
Springfield
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
Springfield
2418
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 501 | Dothan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2418 | Dothan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Springfield
37.7%
Springfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Dothan +
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Springfield
10.0%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Springfield
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Dothan +
Springfield
17.1%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 37.7% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 11.1% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 20.0% | Dothan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 10.0% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.6% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 17.1% | Dothan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Springfield
56.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Springfield
45.6 in
Springfield +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 56.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 45.6 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Dothan +
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Dothan +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Dothan + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Dothan + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 19.5 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dothan leads in median household income at $55,052, while dothan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,339. On public safety, Dothan is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Dothan has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.7%.
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